From AC Milan temptations to military training in Korea, Ki: 'I am ready for war'

08 December at 15:00

Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng spoke to the Daily Mail and revealed that he had participated in military training in his country in 2016. The South Korean international was in AC Milan's shortlist last summer after his contract with Swansea expired, but the Rossoneri decided not to make a decisive move.

"I learned things I would have never learned there. I woke up at 6.30 every day, we would gather in front of the main building and sing the national anthem. Then the day continued with weapon training. First with guns and then grenades. We had to shoot at targets, positioned at 100, 150 and 200 metres away," he said.

"The grenade? I had to throw it in a hole 30 metres away. If it is easier for an athlete? Not really. It is always better to run on a football field. Then there were exercises in gas rooms. We were all gathered inside. We had to stay there for a minute, then exchange it with another. We could not breathe, some people were crying, others had burning eyes and noses. It was an incredible and frightening situation.

"I want to be ready to help my country. If I were called to help my army, I would tell my coach Rafa Benitez that I have to go, to protect my family and defend my country," Ki concluded.